Manish scripts serial with diff - article

Small screen actor Manish Goel, who walked out of STAR One's "Paraaya Dhan" recently, is set to give the Ekta Kapoors a run for their money by scripting a real story starring his wife Poonam Nirula.

Manish has been secretly writing a script for a daily.

"Very different from the standard soaps shown on screen. There will be no mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, no squabbling brothers and no business families making deals on top of rocky-mountains," Manish told IANS.

"I've been quietly writing a script for a daily about the Indian middleclass reality. Having acted in some of the most unreal soaps, I know the counter-view. My situations and characters are completely grounded to middleclass reality. As a TV actor I feel audiences are ready for a change."

Manish not only wants to produce it, he also wants his wife Poonam to play the lead.

"I don't wish to act in the soap I've written. As an actor I've two offers each on television and in films. I'm taking these up," said Manish who has been accused of high-handed behaviour throughout the year 2006.

"People within the TV industry are spreading strange rumours about me. I'm supposed to have become this frustrated work-less and bitter guy who probably feels good about himself by throwing tantrums at home. Sorry to disappoint my well-wishers. I've been busy."

Apart from acting, Manish is also actively involved with an organisation called FLY.

"It's the acronym for Future Lies In Our Youth. It's an organisation for parental guidance. We feel parents are as much in need of counselling as children... I don't want my interests to remain narrowed down to being a television actor. In 2007, I want to expand my horizons."